Luminescent Materials for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells: Advances and Directions

1. Introduction

The growing energy demand, coupled with the concerns about climate change and environmental degradation “due to burning of fossil fuels, has increased the urgent need for sustainable and renewable energy sources. Renewable energy is acquired from sources that are constantly replenishable by natural elements like sunlight, wind, water etc. Solar energy, being abundant and clean, stands out a pivotal component of the future energy landscape. The primary advantage about solar energy is that it doesn’t lead to environmental pollution. Different photovoltaic (PV) technologies such as monocrystalline silicon solar cells, polycrystalline silicon solar cells, Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS), amorphous silicon solar cells, Camium Telluride (CdTe) [1,2,3,4,5] etc, have gathered significant attention in recent years as a promising solution to address climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. However, the high production and deployment costs associated with PV cell technologies have posed a significant barrier to their widespread adoption. These costs can be attributed to the materials and manufacturing processes involved in their fabrication. For instance, the high purity silicon required for PV cell production is a costly material, and the manufacturing processes involved in creating PV cells can be complex and capital-intensive. In comparison, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) offer unique advantages such as low production costs, appealing flexibility and the ability to perform under low-light conditions, making them particularly suitable for integrated and flexible applications [6,7,8].

DSSCs represent a class of third generation solar cells that have attracted significant attention due to their potential for cost-effective and flexible photovoltaic applications. First introduced by Michael Grätzel and Brian O’Regan in 1991, DSSCs have been recognized for their ability to efficiently convert sunlight into electrical energy using a mechanism that mimics photosynthesis [7]. Unlike conventional silicon-based solar cells, DSSCs utilize organic dye molecules to capture light and generate excitons, which are then converted into electrical current through a series of electrochemical processes [8]. DSSCs operate on a fundamentally different principle compared to traditional photovoltaic cells. They are composed of a photo-anode, typically made from titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and coated with a layer of light-absorbing dye molecules. The photo-anode receives few drops of electrolyte solution containing a redox mediator, usually an iodide/tri-iodide couple, and paired with a counter electrode, often made of platinum or carbon-based materials [9]. The unique structure and working mechanism of DSSCs enable them to achieve high efficiencies under diverse lighting conditions, paving the way for their use in various innovative applications such as off-grid power systems and powering of portable device like cell phones [10].

The journey of DSSCs began with fundamental research into photo-electrochemical cells in the 1960ss and 1970s. Early studies explored the potential of various semiconductor materials and dye molecules for light-induced electron transfer processes. It wasn’t until 1991 that Grätzel and O’Regan successfully demonstrated a practical DSSC with significant efficiency marking a breakthrough in the field [7,10]. Since the pioneering work of Grätzel and O’Regan, the development of DSSCs has seen numerous milestones. Key advancement include the introduction of new dye sensitizers with broader absorption spectra, the optimization of TiO₂ nanoparticle films for improved electron transport, and the development of more stable and efficient electrolytes. These milestones have collectively contributed to a gradual improvement in the performance and stability of DSSCs, with some laboratory-scale cells achieving efficiencies of about 14 % [11]. Today, DSSCs are recognized as a mature technology with several commercial applications. They are used in various niche markets such as portable electronics (powering of cell phones and cameras), building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), and off-grid power systems. However, despite their advantages, DSSCs still face several challenges and gaps that hinder their widespread adoption and commercialization. One of the main challenges is the stability of the dye used in these cells, as many organic dyes degrade rapidly under prolonged exposure to sunlight, limiting the cell’s lifespan and efficiency [12,13]. Additionally, the low conversion efficiency of DSSCs compared to other types of solar cells, such as silicon-based solar cells, remains a major gap that needs to be addressed to enhance the advancement of DSSCs in the market [14,15]. Another significant challenge of DSSCs is their scalability and manufacturing processes [16,17]. The complex and delicate nature of assembling DSSCs makes mass production difficult and costly, hindering their commercial viability [18,19].

Due to the problem of efficiency and stability of the DSSCs, ongoing research continues to focus on addressing these challenges, as well as exploring new materials and cell architectures to further improve performance [20]. The performance of conventional DSSCs is limited by factors such as narrow absorption spectra and charge recombination losses, which hamper the device performance. The energy loss in the device encompasses two ways: first is the charge carrier recombination which occurs during the electron transport that leads to photoelectron loss, thereby generating a weak photocurrent. The second is the spectral mismatch between the solar irradiation and the dye which leads to the thermalization of the device by photons of high energy. Current efforts to improve the DSSC performance literally focus on engineering the nanostructured photo-anode” with luminescent materials [21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28].

The need to develop strong luminescent materials and approaches to improve the DSSCs’ performance is crucial [29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36]. They have good absorption especially in the UV and NIR wavelengths, where the DSSC have low absorption of light, and they emit in the visible wavelengths, where the dye sensitizers have effective light absorption [37,38,39,40]. The emitted photons can be re-absorbed by the DSSC device to enhance the light harvesting efficiency of the cells. Basically, there is a gap in research concerning the exploration of alternative luminescent nanomaterials that can extend the absorption spectrum of DSSCs into the UV and near infra-red (NIR) ranges while simultaneously improving charge carrier dynamics and reducing recombination losses. The commonly used dye sensitizers have absorption band ranging from around 400 – 600 nm, which shows that photons < 400 nm and > 600 nm are not absorbed by the dye-sensitizers. The need to extend the absorption spectrum of the device to the UV and NIR is crucial to address such spectral mismatch in order to convert the incidence photons in such regions into usable energy [41,42,43,44]. In this review, three luminescent materials namely: down-conversion, up-conversion and the quantum dots were elucidated, each contributing to the optimization of the DSSCs due to the good optical properties and wide absorption spectrum in the region where the DSSC has weak spectral responsivity. The article is composed of the following sections: the introduction which is section one. Section two elaborated the fundamental principles of DSSC. Section three highlighted the methods. The luminescent materials in DSSCs were deliberated in section four. Section five expounded on the discussion based on challenges and recommendations of the luminescent materials in DSSCs. Finally, the conclusion in section six.”

2. Fundamental Principles

2.1. Working Operation

The DSSC consist of several key components such as photo-anode, a dye sensitizer, an electrolyte, and a counter electrode. The photo-anode is composed of fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO), coated with a mesoporous semiconductor layer, such as the titanium dioxide (TiO₂), which provides a sufficient surface area for the dye molecules to be adsorbed. The operation of DSSCs relies on a series of electrochemical processes that collectively convert light into electricity. When sunlight strikes the dye molecules adsorbed on the surface of the TiO₂ photo-anode, it excites electrons to a higher energy state. These excited electrons are rapidly injected into the conduction band (CB) of the TiO₂, from where they diffuse through the nanoporous structure to the back contact, and eventually flow through the external circuit, generating an electric current [45]. Meanwhile, the oxidized dye molecules are regenerated by electrons from the electrolyte, which undergoes a redox reaction. The iodide ions (I⁻) in the electrolyte donate electrons to the oxidized dye, converting back to tri-iodide ions (${\mathbf{I}}_3^{-}$), which diffuse to the counter electrode. At the counter electrode, electrons from the external circuit reduce the ${\mathbf{I}}_3^{-}$back to I⁻, completing the cycle. The working operation is presented in Figure 1. The seamless flow of electrons through the various components of the DSSC forms the basis of its photovoltaic operation [46,47]. The performance of DSSC relies on factors such as the sufficient surface area of the coated TiO₂ for dye adsorption, effective absorption of light by the dye, the efficient injection of electrons into the TiO₂, and the rapid regeneration of the dye and electrolyte. It can be fabricated on flexible substrates and operate efficiently under low-light conditions, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.

2.2. Photovoltaic Effect in DSSCs

The photovoltaic effect in DSSCs is driven by the absorption of photons by the dye sensitizer and the subsequent injection of electrons into the TiO₂. The excited electrons with a lifetime within a nanosecond range are injected into the conduction band of the TiO₂ semiconductor which lies below the excited state of the dye where the TiO₂ absorbs a small fraction of the solar photons from the UV region [48]. This is accompanied by the electron transport through the external circuit to the counter electrode. Then the dye regeneration, where the excited dye returns to the ground state and finally the electrolyte regeneration where the ${\mathbf{I}}_3^{-}$is reduced to the I⁻. The schematic diagram in Figure 2 shows the representation of the assembled DSSCs, which encompasses the dye molecules adsorbed into the TiO₂, coated on the transparent conductive oxide glass, like the FTO. The dye molecules harvest photons and yields the excited electrons from its highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) in the ground state to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) in the excited state. The electrolyte is for redox mediation and the platinum coated on the FTO to provide counter electrode. The processes involved in the working operation can be broken down into various key steps:

I. Light Absorption: The dye molecules “absorb incident photons, leading to their excitation:

$$Dye+h\nu \to Dye\ast$$

The excited $Dye\ast$ has an electron promoted to a higher energy state.

II. Electron Injection: The excited electron is injected into the conduction band of TiO₂:

$${Dye}^{\mathrm{*}}\to {Dye}^{+}+{e^{-}}_{\left({TiO}_2\right)}$$

This leaves the dye in an oxidized state (Dye⁺).

III. Electron Transport: The injected electrons diffuse through the TiO₂ nanoparticles to the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) layer and flow through an external circuit, generating electrical power:

$${e^{-}}_{\left({TiO}_2\right)}\to FTO\to External Circuit\to Counter Electrode$$

Electrons travel through the TiO₂, move to the FTO, flow through the external circuit, and finally reach the counter electrode.

IV. Dye Regeneration: The oxidized dye is reduced back to its ground state by the redox mediator in the electrolyte:

$${Dye}^{+}+{3I}^{-}\to Dye+I_3^{-}$$

V. Electrolyte Regeneration: The tri-iodide (I⁻₃) formed is reduced back to iodide ions (I⁻) through gaining electrons at the counter electrode:

$$I_3^{-}+{2e}_{(Counter Electrode)}^{-}\to {3I}^{-}$$

This completes the cycle, allowing continuous operation of the cell. These steps collectively result in the generation of electrical power, with the efficiency of the DSSC being influenced by factors such as the light absorption properties of the dye, the electron transport efficiency in the TiO₂, and the regeneration kinetics of the redox mediator [47].”

2.3. Equivalent Circuit Model of DSSCs

The equivalent circuit of the DSSC consists of the current source, diode, capacitances, series resistance ${(R}_s)$ and the shunt resistance ${(R}_{sh})$ . “The current source creates the photo-generated current-density ${(J}_{ph})$ parallel to the diode which is proportional to the sunlight irradiation. The diode represents the interface between the dye-coated semiconductor (the TiO₂) and the electrolyte. It accounts for the non-linear behaviour at this interface and is typically represented by a diode equation. The series resistance accounts for the resistance encountered by the flow of electrons within the device’s components, including the TiO₂ layer, conducting substrates, and contacts. The shunt resistance represents any unintended paths (e.g., leakage currents) that allow current to bypass the photovoltaic cell, reducing overall efficiency. The ${(R}_{surf})$ is the surface resistance. The ${(C}_{pt})$ and ${(R}_{pt})$ are the impedance through carrier transport on the surface of the counter electrode. The ${(C}_{Elec})$ and ${(R}_{Elec})$ are the impedance to carrier transport through the ions in the electrolyte with regard to the dye-electrolyte interface.

Figure 3 shows the equivalent circuit model of the DSSC while Figure 4 shows the simplified circuit model. The capacitance element can be neglected since the capacitance at the dye-electrolyte interface tends to be relatively small compared to other factors affecting the performance of the device. Using the Kirchhoff’s current law, expressed in equation (1).

$$\mathrm{J}={\mathrm{J}}_{\mathrm{p}\mathrm{h}}-{\mathrm{J}}_{\mathrm{d}}-{\mathrm{J}}_{\mathrm{s}\mathrm{h}}$$

(1)

The current-density flowing through the diode is governed by

$${\mathrm{J}}_{\mathrm{d}}={\mathrm{J}}_0⌈\mathrm{e}\mathrm{x}\mathrm{p}\left({\displaystyle \frac{\mathrm{q}(\mathrm{V}+\mathrm{J}{\mathrm{R}}_{\mathrm{s}})}{\mathrm{n}\mathrm{k}\mathrm{T}}}\right)-1⌉$$

(2)

Equation (3) represents the current flowing through the shunt resistance. The R_surf, R_Elec and R_pt are resolved as $R_s=R_{Pt}+R_{Elec}+R_{surf}$.

$${\mathrm{J}}_{\mathrm{s}\mathrm{h}}={\displaystyle \frac{\mathrm{V}+\mathrm{J}{\mathrm{R}}_{\mathrm{s}}}{{\mathrm{R}}_{\mathrm{s}\mathrm{h}}}}$$

(3)

The output current-density (J) in the circuit can be expressed as

$$\mathrm{J}={\mathrm{J}}_{\mathrm{p}\mathrm{h}}-{\mathrm{J}}_0⌈\mathrm{e}\mathrm{x}\mathrm{p}\left({\displaystyle \frac{\mathrm{q}(\mathrm{V}+\mathrm{J}{\mathrm{R}}_{\mathrm{s}})}{\mathrm{n}\mathrm{k}\mathrm{T}}}\right)-1⌉-{\displaystyle \frac{\mathrm{V}+\mathrm{J}{\mathrm{R}}_{\mathrm{s}}}{{\mathrm{R}}_{\mathrm{s}\mathrm{h}}}}$$

(4)

The short-circuit current-density ${(J}_{sc})$ in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) represents the maximum current flowing through the cell when the voltage across it is zero (short-circuited). This current is solely due to the photo-generated carriers in the cell and is not influenced by the external load resistance (external circuit is removed). The expression for the J_sc in a DSSC can be derived from the diode equation itself under the condition that the voltage $\left(V\right)$ across the cell is zero. Hence, the photo-generated current-density becomes equal to the J_sc.

$$\mathrm{J}={\mathrm{J}}_{\mathrm{s}\mathrm{c}}-{\mathrm{J}}_0⌈\mathrm{e}\mathrm{x}\mathrm{p}\left({\displaystyle \frac{\mathrm{q}\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{n}\mathrm{k}\mathrm{T}}}\right)-1⌉$$

(5)

The open-circuit voltage ${(V}_{oc})$ of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is the voltage across the terminals of the cell when no external load is connected, i.e., when the J flowing through the cell is zero. In the equivalent circuit model of a DSSC, the open-circuit condition occurs when the J is zero, meaning that the diode equation simplifies to:

$${\mathrm{V}}_{\mathrm{o}\mathrm{c}}={\displaystyle \frac{\mathrm{n}\mathrm{k}\mathrm{T}}{\mathrm{q}}}⌈\mathrm{I}\mathrm{n}\left({\displaystyle \frac{{\mathrm{J}}_{\mathrm{s}\mathrm{c}}}{{\mathrm{J}}_0}}\right)+1⌉$$

(6)

The fill factor (FF) quantifies how closely the solar cell’s (J-V) curve approaches the rectangular shape of an ideal diode’s J-V curve. A higher fill factor indicates a more efficient conversion of light into electrical power and a better utilization of the cell’s active area. It’s defined as the ratio of the maximum power output ${(P}_{max})$ of the solar cell to the product of the ${(V}_{oc})$ and $\left(J_{sc}\right)$.

$$\mathrm{F}\mathrm{F}={\displaystyle \frac{{\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{m}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{x}}}{{\mathrm{J}}_{\mathrm{s}\mathrm{c}}{\mathrm{V}}_{\mathrm{o}\mathrm{c}}}}$$

(7)

The efficiency (η) of the DSSC is an expression which measures how effectively the DSSC converts incident sunlight into usable electrical power and is commonly used to evaluate the performance of DSSCs. The expression is given as:

$$\mathsf{\eta }={\displaystyle \frac{{\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{m}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{x}}}{{\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{s}\mathrm{u}\mathrm{n}}\mathrm{X}\mathrm{A}}}\mathrm{X}100\mathrm{\%}$$

(8)

where,

I_sun = intensity of the sunlight and A = Active surface area of the DSSC.”

3. Methods

To find prominent scientific data on luminescent materials, a search was conducted on the “Web of Science” database, which was selected due to its simplicity of undertaking a methodological assessment of the literature and gives access to research articles and journals from prestigious academic publishers. The focus of the search was on a careful examination of the literature released a decade ago to ensure the study’s relevance and incorporation of the most recent materials. Particular keywords were entered such as “down conversion”, “up conversion” and “quantum dots” in order to conduct the search. The outcome of the data was analysed in-terms of the number of publications with respect to the corresponding year, which showed a remarkable research output of the luminescent materials over a decade ago. However, the advantage of luminescent materials for various applications paved the way for high research interest which has garnered a significant increase of over 200,000 publications in the past decade as shown in Figure 5, specifically the down-conversion, up-conversion and quantum dots materials.

4. Luminescent Materials in DSSCs

Luminescent phosphors are materials that can absorb light and re-emit it at different wavelengths. These materials can be used to convert UV and NIR light, which are not effectively utilized by DSSCs, into visible light that can be absorbed by the dye sensitizer. They include down-conversion and up-conversion materials, as well as quantum dots, each contributing uniquely to enhancing DSSC efficiency.

4.1. Up-Conversion

Up-conversion materials absorb two or more lower-energy photons and emit a single higher-energy photon. The research interest of up-conversion materials in the past decade from the Web of Science is depicted in Figure 6. 2022 had the most research interest, followed by 2021 and 2023 with nearly similar research interest. However, the property of up-conversion luminescent material is advantageous for DSSCs as it allows the conversion of near-infrared (NIR) light, which is not typically absorbed by the dye, into visible light that can be used more effectively. Lanthanide-doped nanoparticles, such as those containing Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions, are commonly used for their efficient up-conversion capabilities due to their desirable photon modulation properties of converting photons of NIR wavelengths to visible wavelengths such that the DSSC would convert them into usable electrical energy. These materials can be synthesized most often by hydrothermal synthesis and sol-gel processes. The up-conversion process involves energy transfer between dopant ions within a host lattice, typically through sequential absorption or energy transfer up-conversion (ETU) mechanisms. In DSSCs, up-conversion materials are typically integrated into the photo-anode or incorporated into the dye-sensitizer. For instance, embedding NaYF₄: Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ up-conversion nanoparticles into TiO₂ photo-anodes has been shown to improve light absorption in the NIR region, thereby enhancing photocurrent and overall cell efficiency. This mechanism extends the range of usable solar spectrum, addressing the limitations of traditional dyes which primarily absorb in the visible range [49].

4.2. Down-Conversion

Down-conversion materials absorb high-energy photons and emit two or more lower-energy photons. Figure 7 shows the research interest of down-conversion materials in the past decade, with 2022 having the highest research interest, followed by 2021 and 2020. The process of down-conversion luminescent materials allows the conversion of ultraviolet (UV) light, which can degrade organic components in DSSCs, into visible light that is more suitable for energy conversion. Common down-conversion materials include phosphors doped with rare-earth elements like Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺, due to their properties like wide absorption spectrum in the UV region and conversion of high energy photons into photons of lower energy to foster sufficient photon absorption and charge carrier generation. Synthesis methods such as solid-state reactions and combustion synthesis are often used to produce these materials. The incorporation of down-conversion phosphors into DSSCs can be achieved by coating the surface of the photo-anode or mixing them with the dye. For example, integrating Gd₂O₃: Eu³⁺ down-conversion phosphors with TiO₂ photo-anodes has demonstrated improved light harvesting and reduced UV-induced degradation, thereby enhancing both the efficiency and stability of the DSSCs [50].

4.3. Quantum Dots

Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanoparticles with size-tunable optical properties, allowing them to absorb light over a broad spectrum and emit it at specific wavelengths [51]. Figure 8 shows the research interest of the quantum dots luminescent materials in the past decade. The highest research interest was achieved in 2022 followed by 2021. Similar research interest was achieved in 2019 and 2020. Materials such as CdSe, CdTe, and PbS quantum dots have been extensively studied for their potential to enhance DSSC performance due to their tunable emission properties, good quantum yield and broad photon absorption spectrum. Quantum dots are commonly synthesized using colloidal methods, vapor-phase synthesis, or molecular beam epitaxy and can be integrated into DSSCs by embedding in the photo-anode or mixing with the dye. The primary advantage of quantum dots lies in their high absorption coefficients and potential for multiple exciton generation, which can lead to higher photocurrents and enhanced efficiency.

Generally, up-conversion materials are particularly beneficial for utilizing NIR light, while down-conversion materials enhance the use of UV light, and quantum dots offer broad-spectrum absorption. Each material type also presents unique challenges, such as the stability of quantum dots and the need for precise synthesis and doping in up-conversion and down-conversion materials.

4.4. Advances and Research

It is possible to improve the efficiency of DSSC using luminescent materials [52,53]. This allows absorbing light in the UV and NIR range, then converting to visible light within the absorption range of the dye sensitizer. Luminescent materials also improve stability of DSSCs because it prevents thermal degradation of the dye or the electrolyte due to energy of the UV light. Wang et al. [54] presented a simple oxalate-assisted hydrothermal method using oxalate assistance to produce nano and micro-sized β-NaYF₄: Er³, Yb³⁺ (NYFEY) powders with diverse morphologies, which can be applied in DSSCs. The hexagonal rod-shaped NYFEY produced good luminescent properties with a photovoltaic efficiency of 7.31 %. Hence the addition of the hexagonal rod-like NYFEY particles to the photo-anode, improved the performance of DSSCs when compared to those made solely with TiO₂ nanoparticles that yielded 5.63 % efficiency. This is because the improved photo-anode better absorbs light, therefore increasing the light-harvesting efficiency.

Research by Luo et al. [55] demonstrated an efficient spray-pyrolysis-assisted gas-phase aerosol technique to synthesize CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Nd³⁺ phosphor particles. They successfully doped the CaAl₂O₄ matrix particles with Eu²⁺ and Nd³⁺ after an additional H₂ reduction step. With the prominent emission peak observed at a wavelength of around 440 nm, it was discovered through luminescent emission spectrum measurement that the CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Nd³⁺ phosphor particles created in the study played a crucial role in down-converting the UV radiation into visible blue light. Using DSSC photo-electrodes, they created TiO₂ pastes with different phosphor fractions to study the impact of the CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Nd³⁺ phosphors on photovoltaic performance. With an increase in the CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Nd³⁺ particle contents (≤ 5 wt %) in the TiO₂ matrix, they observed that the $J_{sc}$ and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the DSSCs also increased. The photovoltaic performance of the DSSC was shown to be negatively impacted by the addition of an excessive amount of CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Nd³⁺ phosphors (>5 wt %) to the TiO₂ matrix. The negative impact resulted from the faster recombination of photo-generated electrons with holes and the increase in grains and interfaces brought on by the increased phosphor doping, which further perturbed the charge carrier transport thereby leading to a decrease in the efficiency. Therefore, based upon their research, it was possible to increase the DSSC PCE to 6.61 % by adding 5 wt % of the CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Nd³⁺ phosphors to the TiO₂ matrix, but concentration of the phosphor beyond 5 wt % yielded a negative impact which decreased the efficiency of the cell to 5.92 % and 4.98 % for 10 wt % and 20 w% respectively.

Kamal R. and Hafez H. [56] prepared a novel down-converting single-phase white light Pr³⁺ doped BaWO₄ nanophosphors materials for DSSCs applications. The material was synthesized by hydrothermal ultrasonic assisted method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) provided confirmation of the tetragonal phase. A cubic structure measuring 10 nm in average length and 8 nm in average width was revealed by the transmission electron microscope (TEM) measurement. The values of the optical band gap increased as the Pr³⁺ ion concentration increased. Three primary emission peaks were observed in the photo-luminescent spectra, which span the white region attributed to the ³P₀ → ³F₂, ³P₁ → ³H₅ and ³P₀ → ³H₄ transitions. The material when applied as down-converting photoactive electrodes in DSSCs, the overlaid PBWO/TiO₂ photoactive anodes demonstrated a notable improvement in the total power conversion efficiency of the developed solar cell to 8.08 % for a doping concentration of 5 mol % of the Pr³⁺. It was shown that the Pr³⁺ significantly boosted the efficiency of DSSCs.

Research by Mao et al. [57] proposed a promising new type of up-conversion phosphors (UCPs)-TiO₂ composite photo-anode for increased light harvesting in DSSCs. The significantly increased light harvesting was attributed to the outstanding light scattering as well as the added NIR light effect of the up-conversion β-NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ nanoparticles. However, adding such UCPs to photo-anodes caused charge recombination at the photoanode-electrolyte interface to aggravate. The undesirable effect was reduced by coating UCPs with a thin layer of TiO₂. The weight ratio of 15 % was the optimum concentration for UCPs/TiO₂ to produce high performance in the DSSC. The associated DSSC produced a power conversion efficiency of up to 7.17 %, which is much better than 5.45 % for the bare TiO₂ nanoparticle-based device.

Dutta and Rai [58] demonstrated the impact of the BiYO₃:Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ up-converting (UC) nanoparticles in enhancing the performance of DSSCs. The power conversion efficiency of the DSSCs with the incorporation of the UC was raised from 5.73 % to 6.20 %. The primary cause of the improvement was the ability of the UC to convert the NIR light to visible light. According to the finding of the study, it is feasible to add UC nanophosphors to DSSC in order to enhance their photovoltaic capabilities the dye capability for light harvesting.

Tadge et al. [59] incorporated Y₂O₃:Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ into TiO₂ to build DSSCs and a comparison of their photovoltaic performance was done. The ability of the UC phosphor to harness NIR-visible light has been observed to increase the power conversion efficiency of the DSSC by 10.33 % when compared to the bare TiO₂ DSSC. The efficiency was raised from 8.9 % to 9.82 % by the integration of the UC phosphors. This means that the efficiency of the bare DSSC was 8.9 % and the integration of the UC phosphor enhanced the efficiency to 9.82 %. The efficiency was enhanced as a result of the rise in the N719 spectral sensitivity. Compared to the bare TiO₂-based cell the DSSC integrated with the UC showed better durability. The higher durability was perceived due to the effect generated by the incorporation of UC phosphors into the TiO₂ leading to higher infiltration of electrolyte and prevented the evaporation of electrolyte from the device.

Frang et al. [60] created graphene quantum dots (GQDs) integrated into dye-sensitized TiO₂ photo-electrodes for solar cells application. Transmission electron microscope was used to give the structural analysis of the GQDs. The GQDs were incorporated into TiO₂ films, resulting in various GQD-enhanced photo-electrodes and their corresponding dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Their studies revealed that with increasing the amount of GQDs in the photo-electrodes, the dye adsorption initially decreased and then increased, whereas the $J_{sc,}{V}_{oc}and\eta$ of the DSSCs first increased and then decreased. Among all the DSSCs, the cell with an optimal amount of GQDs showed the best performance with a minimum dye-adsorption with the maximum J_sc of 14.07 ± 0.02 mA/cm² and η of 6.10 ± 0.01 %, higher than those of the bare DSSC by 30.9 % and 19.6 % respectively. Better performance with minimum dye use was largely due to the unique photoexcitation response of the GQDs and the injection of hot electrons from GQDs into TiO₂. The research demonstrated that introducing GQDs can significantly enhance DSSC performance, while reducing dye consumption, offering economic and environmental benefits.

Kundu et al. [61] indicated that modifying TiO₂ photoanode with co-doped graphene quantum dots (GQDs) offers valuable insights for enhancing the performance of DSSCs. Integrating doped GQDs, they achieved a significant increase in efficiency up to 11.7 % with an excellent fill factor (functional area = 0.16 cm²). The improvement was attributed to the ability of the doped GQDs to prevent back electron transfer from TiO₂ and enhance light absorption. After one month (following electrolyte refilling), the DSSCs still maintained an efficiency of approximately 10 %, demonstrating their stability within a laboratory scale measurement. Beyond advancing QD-sensitized solar cell technology, their findings underscore the environmental benefits of using eco-friendly materials, contrasting with conventional QDs. They anticipated further advancements in cell fabrication and material science will pave the way for next-generation and eco-friendly solar cells with even higher conversion efficiencies.

Chou et al. [62] demonstrated that both GQDs and N719 dye were absorbed into the photo-anode film using a simple preparation process. The GQDs solution was adsorbed into the photo-anode film by spin coating technique. Next, the GQDs adsorbed photo-anode film was totally immersed in 719 dye for 24 h. Introducing GQDs as auxiliary sensitizers to achieve co-sensitization with N719 dye can enhance the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs. They evaluated the photo-response characteristics of DSSCs under different sensitization conditions using incident-photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE). Their result indicated that the photoelectric conversion efficiency of DSSCs using GQDs + N719 co-sensitized photo-anode increased to 5.14 %, making a 20 % enhancement as compared with the 4.28 % of only N719 dye. GQDs enhanced the photo-response of N719 dye particularly within the visible spectral range due to increased overlap between the IPCE spectra of GQD + N719 and the charge transport properties of graphene itself in the GQDs. Hence, GQDs serve as effective co-sensitizers for enhancing the light absorption capability of DSSCs.

Table 1 shows the photovoltaic performance parameters of DSSCs enhanced with different luminescent materials. The $V_{oc},J_{sc},FFand\eta$ of the luminescent enhanced DSSCs were recorded from the corresponding literatures.”

4.5. Energy Transfer

Energy transfer from luminescent “materials to dye molecules can occur through mechanisms such as Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). This process enhances the excitation of dye molecules, boosting the efficiency of the DSSC. The FRET may be used in DSSCs to connect two or more materials in order to enhance strong absorption across a wide range of the solar spectrum and improve device performance [87,88]. Luminescent nanoparticles and organic dyes are particularly effective in facilitating these energy transfer processes. Figure 9 depicts the energy level diagram of the energy transfer from the luminescent material to the dye molecules. Energy from the emission transition of the luminescent material is transferred to the dye molecules. Photon absorption of the dye molecules produces excited electrons from its highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) in the ground state to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) in the excited state. The excited electrons are rapidly injected into the conduction band of the TiO₂ which lies below the excited state of the dye, from where they diffuse through the nano-porous structure to the FTO back contact and eventually flow through the external circuit.

In the quest to enhance the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), the concept of energy transfer from luminescent materials to dye molecules has gained significant attention. This process can improve light harvesting and facilitate better utilization of the solar spectrum, particularly by extending the absorption range from the visible to the UV and NIR regions where the device has weak spectral responsivity. Thereby enhancing the photon absorption of the dye molecules and increasing charge carrier generation. This section explains the mechanisms of energy transfer, the types of luminescent materials involved, and their impact on DSSC performance.”

4.6. Mechanism of Energy Transfer

Energy transfer from luminescent materials to dye molecules in DSSCs primarily occurs through Förster Resonance-Energy Transfer (FRET). FRET is a non-radiative process where energy is transferred from a donor (luminescent material) “to an acceptor (dye molecule) through dipole-dipole interactions. FRET analysis is crucial in measuring changes in the donor and acceptor spectra which is effective in analyzing energy transfer efficiency [89,90]. This mechanism is highly dependent on the distance between the donor and acceptor, typically occurring over a range of 1-10 nm. Figure 10 shows the FRET mechanism, where the donor transitions from the ground state (D₀) to the excited state (D₁). Non-radiative relaxation occurred within the lower level of the excited state which could be phonon-assisted, then emission and energy transfer to the acceptor via FRET mediation. The excited molecules transition from the ground state (A₀) to the excited state (A₁) and this process allows continuous energy transfer.

For effective FRET, there must be a spectral overlap between the emission spectrum of the donor and the absorption spectrum of the acceptor. The overlap integral $J\left(\lambda \right)\left(M^{-1}{cm}^{-1}{nm}^4\right)$is governed by the equation [89]:

$$\mathrm{J}\left(\lambda \right)={\int }_0^{\mathrm{\infty }}{F}_D\left(\lambda \right){\in }_A\left(\lambda \right){\lambda }^{4}d\lambda$$

(9)

where F_D is the normalized emission spectrum of the donor, a dimensionless entity, Є_A (λ) is the molar absorption or extinction coefficient of the acceptor in M^-1cm^-1 and λ is the wavelength of the incident light in nm.

The distance between the donor and acceptor molecules as well as the strength of spectral overlap determines the efficiency of energy transfer. The J – overlap integral can be expressed conveniently in terms of the Förster distance.The efficiency of energy transfer via FRET can be expressed generally as [87]:

$${\eta }_{FRET}\propto {\left({\displaystyle \frac{R_0}{R}}\right)}^6$$

(10)

where R is the distance between the donor and acceptor molecules, R₀ is the Förster distance upon which the energy transfer efficiency is 50 %. Forster distance in Å is expressed as [87]:

$$R_0=0.211{\left(k^2{n}^{-4}{Q}_{Y}J\left(\lambda \right)\right)}^{1/6}$$

(11)

where k² is the relative orientation of the transition dipoles of the donors and acceptors generally given as 2/3, Q_Y is the quantum yield of the donor in the absence of the acceptor, n is the refractive index of the medium containing the donor and acceptor molecules, and J (λ) is the spectral overlap between the donor and the acceptor molecule.”

In the context of DSSCs, luminescent nanoparticles or quantum dots can act as donors, transferring their absorbed energy to the dye molecules close to the TiO₂ surface, thereby enhancing the dye’s photo-excitation.

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Quantum Dots as Donors: Quantum dots (QDs), due to their size-tunable emission properties, are excellent candidates “for FRET applications in DSSCs. For instance, CdSe QDs can be engineered to emit light in the visible spectrum, overlapping well with the absorption spectra of many commonly used dyes, such as N719 or perovskites [91]. This overlap facilitates efficient energy transfer, enhancing the photoexcitation of the dye molecules and potentially increasing the photocurrent.

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Lanthanide-Doped Nanoparticles: Lanthanide-doped nanoparticles exhibit sharp emission peaks and long-lived excited states, making them suitable for FRET applications. Materials doped with lanthanides like Eu³⁺ or Tb³⁺ can emit visible light after absorbing UV light, effectively transferring energy to the dye molecules in DSSCs [92].”

5. Discussion

In the preceding section we have seen that integrating luminescent materials into DSSCs offers substantial potential for boosting their efficiency and enhancing the overall performance of the device. The scope of this section is to discuss some challenges emananting from the incorporation of luminescent materials in DSSCs and equally discuss possible recommendations at mitigating them. One major issue is the stability of luminescent materials. Many such materials such as QDs and organic dyes degrade when exposed to prolonged light and operational heat, degrading the cells’ long-term efficiency and lifespan [91,93]. Ensuring these materials remain stable under operational conditions is critical for consistent performance.

Energy transfer efficiency within DSSCs is another significant challenge. Luminescent materials need to absorb light effectively and re-emit it in a way that enhances the cell’s performance. However, low luminescent efficiency and re-absorption of emitted photons can limit their effectiveness [94]. Moreover, integrating these materials with existing DSSC components is complex. It is essential that luminescent materials are compatible with the cell’s sensitizers and do not chemically degrade or react with other parts of the cell, such as electrodes or electrolytes [95].

The cost and scalability of incorporating luminescent materials into DSSCs also present some hurdles. High-quality luminescent materials, like rare-earth elements and certain QDs, can be expensive and challenging to produce in large quantities. The integration process can add complexity to the manufacturing of DSSCs, potentially increasing production costs and hindering widespread adoption. Additionally, there are environmental and health concerns particularly regarding the toxicity of some luminescent materials. This raises questions about their safety and environmental impact, especially if the cells are damaged or improperly disposed of [96].

Recommendations to address these challenges encompass, developing more stable luminescent materials. Advances in inorganic phosphors, perovskite quantum dots, and improved encapsulation methods can significantly enhance the durability of these materials [97]. Thin layers of alumina (Al₂O₃) can be integrated on the surface of the TiO₂-luminescent layer to improve the stability and resistance to photo-degradation. Incorporation of antioxidant such as Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) and Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) which can be used to protect the dye and electrolyte from oxidative degradation can as foster stability of the electrolyte and the dye. Improving the efficiency of energy transfer is also a key focus. Leveraging on spectral modelling could provide valuable insights into the energy transfer mechanisms to foster the design of more efficient DSSCs. Designing luminescent materials with emission spectra that match the absorption characteristics of DSSC dyes can optimize energy transfer. Additionally, reducing re-absorption losses through strategic positioning and using materials with sharp emission peaks can improve overall cell efficiency [98].

Innovative DSSC designs could be developed to better utilize luminescent materials. Techniques such as luminescent down-conversion, which converts high-energy photons into lower-energy ones, and up-conversion, which transforms lower-energy photons into higher-energy photons, can help capture a broader spectrum of sunlight [99]. Multi-layered structures that incorporate luminescent materials into different layers of the cell can also enhance light management and absorption, boosting the cell’s performance [100].

Researching on low-cost luminescent materials, such as organic dyes and polymer-based options, can offer cost effective alternatives materials without sacrificing performance [101]. Simplifying the integration of these materials into DSSCs is crucial for making the technology more commercially viable. This can also be accomplished through the development of multifunctional luminescent materials such as the Boron-Dipyrromethene dyes that can serve dual purposes such as light absorption and charge carrier transport to streamline seamless design of DSSC and improve performance.

Addressing environmental and health concerns is crucial in advancing the development of non-toxic luminescent materials and adopting sustainable manufacturing and disposal practices. Ensuring these materials are safe to use and dispose of is vital to minimizing their environmental impact. Additionally, integrating DSSCs with luminescent materials into hybrid systems, such as combining them with perovskite or organic photovoltaics, would offer a promising avenue for enhancing their efficiency [102]. Applications in smart windows and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) can leverage luminescent materials to improve energy generation while adding aesthetic and functional benefits [103].

However, advancing the use of luminescent materials in DSSCs requires a multidisciplinary approach that combines material science, chemical engineering, and photovoltaic technology. By addressing these challenges and exploring innovative solutions, luminescent materials have the potential to significantly elevate the performance and utility of DSSCs in the renewable energy sector.”

6. Conclusions

Luminescent materials represent a promising and innovative approach to DSSCs. Ongoing research continues to propel the development of these materials and their application to DSSCs which creates a great possibility for more efficient DSSCs research, commercialization and deployment. DSSCs are clean and sustainable means of generating power without any environmental pollution. The dye sensitizer is responsible for the absorption of photons while the TiO₂ performs the charge carrier transport to the external circuit. The DSSCs have attracted significant attention due to their low cost and compatibility with a wide range of materials. However, compared with conventional silicon solar cells, the power conversion efficiency of DSSCs still lags behind. In this review, we focused our insights on the impact of luminescent materials, a vital component that greatly influences both the photovoltaic power conversion performance and the long term durability of the DSSCs.

We identified luminescent materials as down-conversion, up-conversion and quantum dots. These materials attracted a significant research interest of over 200, 000 publications, according to the “Web of Science” data. They have the ability to extend the absorption spectrum beyond the visible region of the typical dye sensitizer to enhance performance of the DSSCs. Key challenges of these materials include stability under operational condition, and energy transfer efficiency.

Improving “the energy transfer efficiency between luminescent materials and the dye molecules is one of the recommendations to mitigate these challenges. A better understanding of the spectral alignment between these components is crucial to enhance energy transfer efficiency. Spectral modelling and spectroscopic techniques could provide valuable insights into these mechanisms to foster the design of more efficient DSSCs.

Also, improving the stability of luminescent materials under operational conditions is vital, as long-term durability is crucial for the viability of DSSCs. Research focus should prioritize the development materials that resist photo-degradation. Therefore, techniques such as encapsulation that shields other components of DSSCs from UV light and preventing photo-degradation is vital. Also, thin layers of alumina (Al₂O₃) can be incorporated on the surface of the TiO₂-luminescent layer to enhance its durability and resistance to photo-degradation. Addition of antioxidant such as Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) and Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) which can be used to protect the dye and electrolyte” from oxidative degradation can also stabilize the electrolyte and the dye in the DSSCs.

Further, developing multifunctional luminescent materials such as the Boron-Dipyrromethene dyes that can serve dual purposes such as light absorption and charge transport could streamline DSSC design and enhance performance. This could minimize the number of interfaces within the cell, reducing recombination losses and enhancing longevity and efficiency.